Man Accused Of Shooting BPD Officer Held On $1.5M Bail
BOSTON (CBS) -- As dozens of Boston Police officers filled the seats inside Dorchester District Court Monday, the man accused of shooting a veteran officer in Dorchester Friday was ordered held on $1,500,000 cash bail.
Grant Headley, 27, of Dorchester, was arraigned on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and armed assault with intent to murder, all stemming from Friday's shooting. In addition, he is accused of distribution of cocaine in a separate Jan. 5 incident. The judge ordered $500,000 bail for the Jan. 5 offense, and $1 million for Friday's offenses.
Headley hid his face in court, approved by the judge to stand in a hallway. WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal said there was a large BPD presence in court, and that as bail was read, Headley yelled that Boston Police had tried to "assassinate" him:
Headley's family also expressed grief outside the court over the high bail.
Boston Police say Headley shot officer Kurt Stokinger, a 9-year veteran of the force, in the leg on Mount Bowdoin Terrace in Dorchester Friday during a traffic stop. Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said Headley got out of his car and started shooting "unprovoked" after officers attempted to box in his car. Headley was arrested shortly after. Prosecutors say police found his gun, and discovered that five shots were fired.
Stokinger applied a tourniquet to his leg after he was shot, and was transported to Boston Medical Center, where he remained until he was released Sunday. Police say he is in good spirits and resting with his family.
Evans said Headley is a drug dealer who was out on probation and was well-known to police. He was released in April 2015 after serving five years in state prison on firearm and drug dealing convictions, and has a criminal record dating back to 2005.
Prosecutors said police unsuccessfully tried to arrest Headley on Tuesday, after they captured surveillance of him selling drugs.
"He was out selling drugs and that's why he was pulled over," Evans told reporters Friday.
Headley is due back in court next month.
